Method and means for installing drainage conduits



NOV. 8, 1938. A J, PARRISH 2,136,152;

METHOD AND MEANS FOR INSTALLING DRAINAGE CONDUITS Filed Jan. 16, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet l A. J. PARRISH 2,136,152

METHOD AND MEANS FOR INSTALLING DRAINAGE CONDUITS Nov. 8, 1938.

Filed Jan. 16, 1937 3 sheets-Sheet 2 um mgm, 4

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A. J. PARRlsl-l 2,136,152

FOR INSTALLING DRAINAGE coNDULTs Nov. 8, 1938.

METHOD AND MEANS Filed Jan. 16, 195'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Alla/7L JJ/ Parrzl/ @www y Patented Nov. 8, 1938 UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND DRAINAGE MEAN FOR INSTALLING ONDUITS Application January 16,

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a methody of'and apparatus for laying underground pipes or conduitsl and especially the installation of drainage pipes and culverts beneath existing structures without disturbing the structures by trenching operations and the like. More particularly. the invention relates to the installation, frictionally tight in the ground, under conditions requiring a pre-boring operation, of thin sheet metal pipes and easings of the character described and claimed in my c'o-pending application. Serial No. 71,015, tiled March 26, 1936.

Water accumulations beneath already existing structures such as road beds and pavement structures, under frost conditions and impact loads of passing trafllc, may result in serious damage to the overlying structures, which damage would otherwise be minimized by the provision of proper drainage.

In the prior practices of laying pipes and providing culverts and drains under highways, railways and other existing structures, trenching or tunneling have been the 'most common methods employed although some use has been made of the so-called jacking method. All of such practices. however, are relatively expensive and more or less impairthe compacted conditioner vthe soil. The methods of trenching and tunneling, including the steps-of pipe laying and afterward iilling in, involve considerable expense and result in disturbing the existing structures under which the pipes are extended.

By the invention of the earlier illed application above referred to, there is provided a thin sheet metal conduit having a raised helical bead or thread throughout its length on itsV otherwise plain exterior surface. The prior application also discloses a method of installing the conduit in desired positionffrictionally tight in the ground without distorting the pipe, by a rotational driving force applied throughout the entire length of the pipe to the forward side of a helical groove in the inner side of the pipe. In the. method described, the pipe. suitably supported and driven by a carrier in the form of a -hollow mandrel, is merely rotatedv or screwed into the desired position to drain moisture zones and water pockets and to provide culverts.

To facilitate insertion of the conduits. especially those of the larger sizes, in solls of a rocky nature and in those which would involve an unusually heavy friction load. it is sometimes desirable to minimize the load on the pipe and mandrel support by boring slightly in advance of the leading end of the pipe and mandrel and 1937, Serial No. 120,980

(Cl. Z-20) removing borings through the hollow mandrel faster than the pipe is progressed into the ground. The hole excavated in advance should not be so large as to preclude tight' frictional engagement of the helical threaded pipe with substantially 5 undisturbed compacted soil around the pipe and generally the advance boring is of less diameter than the overall outside diameter of the pipe.

The present invention provides for preboring in advance of the entering end of the pipe and l0 mandrel and it is one of the objects of this invention to provide an improved and simplified earth boring machine oi' the horizontal type arranged for cooperation with a pipe and mandrel structure of the characterdescribed.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a portable earth boring machine having a wheeled carriage and an adjustable base support with a channeled trackway for coniining the wheel carriage therein but allowing free recipro- 20 eatery movement of the carriage in the base support.

`It is also one of the objects of the invention to provide a boring machine in which the resultant thrust oi the driven elements is substantially at 25 the center of gravity of the machine within the supporting base.

A further object is the provision of a machine with a variable gear ratio for either manual or power operation.

Other advantages and objects of the' invention will be apparent fromy the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings forming part of this speciiication, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout 35 the several i'igures. and wherein Fig. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention and its application for installing drain Pille# under an existing pavement structure shown in cross section.

Fig. 2 is a front end elevation of the earth boring machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine of Fig. 2, the view being taken on the llneI--ofl'igdhV Y Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the machine carriage'and base -of Figs. 2 and 3 with uprights of the standard shown in section.

Fig.v iis-a detail view showing the end portion 5o oi a carriage frame member, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the head castings.

Fig. 'l is a detail top plan view of driving oonnections for the machine showing a ilexible shaft connection thereto.

Fig. 8 shows a modified form of power driven machine.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the earth boring assembly which comprises a base support I vertically adjustable at one end, to provide for boring operations upwardly inclined from the horizontal, and an earth boring unit 2 having a wheeled carriage engaged within the base support. The base support comprises two longitudinally extending spaced parallel channel members 3 and 4, defining with their inwardly directed flange portions a trackway in which the wheeled carriage of the boring unit may be confined against movement other than a free rolling one longitudinally of the base. Cross members S and 6 underlying the ends of the channel members and suitably fastened thereto serve to complete the base frame and tie the channel members together in their parallel relationship. The base frame is further strengthened and held together by diagonal cross ties 'I and 8 and the central longitudinally extending bar 9 fastened at its ends to cross bars l and il. The bar 9 is relatively heavy and has therein at one end a central Vrow of spaced openings iii to provide .anchorage for the end of a lever to advance the boxing unit when boring' conditions require more than the force of an operator pushing forwardly on the frame of the unit. Spacer blocks Ii may be interposed between the ends of the cross and tie members and the channel members to provide clearance for depending flanges on the boring unit wheels to permit the boring unit carriage t0 be rolled lengthwise out of the base support.

The front cross member I extends slightly beyond the sides of the channel members and has its ends notched to afford guides for upstanding arms I2 suitably fastened to the ends of base plate I3 underlying the cross member The member 6 has a plurality of threaded apertures intermediate its ends and between the channel members to accommodate jack screws Il which are equipped with lock nuts II and extend into engagement with therbase plate I3. Vertical adjustment of the front end of the base support and boring unit is readily obtained by adiustment of the jack screws to provide for an upwardly directed boring operation suitable for drains and the like.

The boring unit comprises a carriage portion having two aligned horizontally disposed main frame members I8, substantially U shaped and provided at the ends of their leg portions with stub axles I1 and upwardly extending supporting lugs IB'. The frame members are reversely arranged so that their transversely extending base portions are disposed n ear each other and their respective end portions extend longitudinally in different directions, so as to provide a maximum wheel base for the carriage and a. compact support for the driven elements and bearings. Longitudinally extending tie members I9 serve to tie the members together in their spaced relation. The main frame members support, in alignment centrally thereof, bearings 20 and 2| and there is journaled in these bearings shaft 22 which has fixed thereon, between the bearing supports, drive sprockets 23 and 2l differing in diameter and number of teeth. 'I'he shaft extends forwardly of the bearing 20 for driving "connection with a driving chuck 25 adapted to receive earth' boring implements such as the detachable earth boring auger or bit 28. Shaft bearings 20 and 2| are preferably conventional type thrust bearings arranged to take the thrust resulting in boring oparcaico erations. The structural arrangement of the parts described is such that the center of gravity lthereof lies substantially equidistant between upper and lower flanges of the base support channel members when the boring unit is supported therein. In consequence of this, the thrust on the carriage member from the boring element tends to produce only a free rolling movement of the carriage without any tendency to cant or bind in the trackway.

During the boring operations and the installation of conduits, sprockets 2l and 24 and the driven shaft are rotated through powerl transmission connections supported above the carriage on the angle iron uprights 21. These supports are bolted or otherwise fastened at their lower ends to the supporting lugs Il on the carriage frame and support at their upper end portions spaced head castings 29 and SII in which driving shaft ll is journaled and has fixed thereon, between the head castings in alignment with the driven sprockets, driving sprockets 32 and 33 difi'ering in diameter and number of teeth.

The shaft Si extends outwardly from the head castings at each end and is provided with squared or splined end portions for association with a iiexible driving shaft 4I from some suitable source of power as illustrated in Fig. '1, orV with crank members lll retained on the shaft by nuts 35. Handles 3B, provided with a series of spaced holes l1 to allow adjustment for leverage, are connected in their position of adjustment with the crank members Il) by bolts 30 and provide when used means for rotating the driving shaft to transmit power to the driven shaft 22 through the connection of sprocket chain 39. I'he arrangement is such that different gear ratios may be utilized, dependent on the selection of chain and sprocket connections.

The boring unit is free to roll in the channel trackway in a reciprocatory movement. The insertion oi' pipe sections and the earth boring operation can be accomplished by the forward movement of the e h boring unit in the trackway under hand pow r applied to the frame ci the machine or through a lever inserted in one of the holes in bar 9 and bearing against a thrust bar 42 across the rear end of the carriage. Under the simple manual manipulation of the boring unit, an operator may detect, and in a sense feel, the character of the soil conditions encountered by a particular boring element, enabling him to back off the machine, in order to change tools and the like, before a particular tool becomes damaged as would be the ca-se with an automatic mechanical feed if employed in the machine.

The chuck 25 is designed to cooperate with and drive sectionalized detachable boxing tools and pipe 43. with their supporting mandrels Il. Concentric relationship between the pipe mandrel and the boring tools is assured by the cooperation of the chuck with either of these devices. The chuck is arranged to accommodate axially thereof shanks of boring tools and is provided with an annular apertured flange l5 and a concentric forwardly extending sleeve portion 4B recessed at l1 to receive in rotational driving relation the splines I8 on the ends of the pipe supporting and driving mandrel Il. The recesses in the sleeve portion of the chuck are of suiiicient depth to accommodate the splines on the end of the mandrel so that the outer surface of the mandrel is flush with the outer sleeve surface. In this arrangement, the pipe 43 carried by the mandrel, may telescope over the chuck sleeve with its end abutting the iiange of the chuck. This telescopic relationship between the driving chuck and the pipe and supporting mandrel insure the insertion of the pipe sections in a position concentric with the boring tool which latter is smaller than the inside diameter of the pipe mandrel to allow independent boring operation within mandrel sections and the progression of borings rearwardly through the center of the mandrel. Y

In the modified form of structure of Fig. 8, the boring unit and base frame support are identical with that previously described. There is shown, supported on the uprigh-ts 21, a motor 49 on a supporting base BIL 'The drive shaft SI is directly connected to a gear reducer l! supported on bracket B3. Shaft El from the gear box carries the driving sprocket for driving chain Il.

' Referring in particular to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the machine is shown in one use for installing drain pipes 4l in the sub-soil under a pavement, which latter may be taken as illustrative of any overlying existing structure. There is also shown in' this figure of the drawings the auxiliary use of a removable hand ratchet for driving the pipe during drilling operations independent of the driving chuck of the machine. i

In the use of the invention in the process of earth boring and installing conduits, the machine equipped with a boring tool will be placed and adjusted to bore and install the conduits in the exact position desired. The adjustment procured by the screws Il and lock nuts II determines the degree of inclination for the boring and pipelnstallation. The construction of the machine permits placement of lateral drains under existing pavements, roadbeds and other structures without resorting to trenching and tunneling. In those cases where excavation is necessaryfor the initial placement of the machine, the amount thereof required is minimized.

Driven manually by the hand cranks or a power source connected to the crankshaft, forward movement of the machine influenced by an operator, produces an initial boring slightlyd'ess'than the overall diameter of the pipe so `thatjas the following pipe is advanced into position by'rottion, the outer surface and'the threads or thread portions thereon will be in firm frictional engagement with the surrounding soil which has not been disturbed by the boring operation. The ma'- chine is confined by its base support to backward and forward movement to produce a straight bore an'd installation. The travel of the truck carriage on the base support is such as Vto permit the machine to be backed olf to receive added sections of the borin'g tool, pipe mandrel and pipe. These may be Joined as the boring and pipe installation proceeds until the desired placement is obtained. The driving sections for the pipe mandrel and pipe may be telescopically engaged over the chuck sleeve to be rotated into position by driving and advancing the machine. The splines at the end of the mandrel and the pipe lock and connection features provide 'for driving association of new sections with those already installed.

Box-ings from the tool are removed rearwardly through the inside of the pipe and mandrel and following a completed forward operation, the

mandrel may be removed from the pipe by a reverse rotation, leaving the pipe installed frictionally tight within the ground. If'it is desired to independently progres the pipe during a boring operation, the removable hand ratchet 55 may be connected with the last section of pipe and mandrel The boring machine has its center of weight sumciently low that the longitudinal thrust on the machine tends to produce a free rolling movement of the machine in its base support. The extensions of the carriage frame longitudinally from the central supports provides,V a maximum wheel base and avoids any binding action.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the invention provides a simplified method and means for installing drainage conduits, without resort to expensive trenching and digging operations. While the invention has been described 'in connection with a preferred embodiment, it

is to be understood that the words which have` been used are words of description rather than of limitation and that changes within the purview of the appended claims may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention in all of its aspects.

V1. The method of installing beneath the ground thin sheet Vmetal drain conduits having a steep pitch helical thread which comprises, boring a hole of less diameter than the conduit in advance of the end of the conduit, supporting the inner surface of the conduit against distortion and applying a rotative driving force along the inner surface of the conduit throughout itslength by uhollovvV mandrel, whereby the pipe is rotated into desired position frictionally tight in the surrounding soil.

2. The method of installing beneath the ground thin sheet metal drain conduits having a steep pitch external helical thread throughout their length which comprises, boring a hole of less diameter than the conduit in advance of the end of the conduit, supporting the inner surface of the` conduit against distortion and applying a rotative driving force along'the inner surface of the conduit throughout its' length, by a hollow mandrel, whereby the'plpe is rotated into desired position frictionally tightin the surrounding soil, and removing Vboring rearwardly through the pipe and mandrel without withdrawing the mandrel from the pipe. Y

8. The method of installing in the ground thin sheet metal conduits having an external helical thread throughout their entire length, which comprises, boring a hole of less diameter than the overall diameter of the conduit in advance of an end of the conduit'entered in the ground. rotating the conduit into desired position frictionally tight in the ground by supporting the inner surface of the conduit against distortion and applying Vaf'rotative driving force along the inner surface of the conduit throughout its length.

4. The method of installing in the ground thin sheetmetal conduits having an external helcal thread throughout their entire length which comprises, clearing away the ground in advance of the leading end of the pipe and removing it rearwardly through the pipe, and rotating the conduit into desired position frlctionally tight in the ground by supporting -the inner surface thereof against distortion and applying a rotative driving force along an inner surface `of' the conduit throughout its entire length.

5. In an 'eazzth boring apparatus of the character described', a supporting base having a channel trackway. an earth boring unit of the horizontal drilling type having a wheeled carriage arranged for free rolling movement in the trackway of the base, a driving shaft and coupling rotatably mounted on the wheeled carriage so that end thrust on the shaft is longitudinally of the carriage centrally thereof and substantially opposite the carriage wheel centers, and power transmission means for driving/said shaft supported above the carriage and arranged so as to be driven manually or by power connection thereto. I

6. In an earth boring apparatus of the character described. a supporting base having a channel trackway, an earth boring unit o f the horizontal drilling type having a wheeled carriage arranged for free rolling movement inthe trackway of the base. a driving shaft and coupling rotatably mounted on ,the wheeled carriage so that end thrust on the ls'liai't is longitudinally of the carriage centrally thereof and substantially opposite the carriage wheel centers, a chain sprocket fixed to said shaft, an upright support mounted on the carriage, and power transmission means for driving said shaft supported above the carriage and arranged so as to be drivenmanually or by power connection thereto, said power transmission means ineluding a chain drive connection to said sprocket.

7. In combination with a relatively thin helical threadedpipe and supporting and driving mandrei therefor. a machine for rotatively installing said pipe and mandrel in the ground and for preboring in advance of the leading ends of the pipe and mandrel, said machine comprising a supporting base having a channel trackway, a movable boring and pipe installing unit having a wheeled carriage freely movable in said trackway, a driving shaft and coupling rotatably mounted on the wheeled carriage, power transmission means supported by the carriage for rotating said shaft and coupling. a boring tool detachably connected with an anal socket in the coupling. said driving'coupling having means thereon concentric with the boring tool receiving socket for effecting rotating driving engagement with one end of the helical threaded pipe and mandrel. Y

8. In combination with a relatively thin helical threaded pipe and supporting and drivingmandrel therefor, a machine for rotatively installing said pipe and mandrel in the ground and for pre-boring in advance of the leading ends of the pipe and mandrel, said machine comprising a supporting base having a channel trackway, a movable boring and pipe installing unit having a wheeled carriage freely movable in said trackway, a driving shaft and coupling rotatably mounted on the wheeled carriage, power trans mission means supported by the carriage for rotating said shaft and coupling, a boring tool detachably connected Avvith an axial socket in the coupling, said driving coupling having means thereon concentric with the boring tool receiving socket for effecting rotating -driving engagement with one end of the helical threaded pipe and mandrel, said power transmission means includmg oppositely disposed detachable hand cranks adiustably mounted to effect change of leverage.

9. In combination 'with a relatively thin helical threaded pipe and supporting and driving mandrel therefor. a machine for rotatively installing said pipe .and mandrel in the ground and for pre-boring in advance of the leading ends of the pipe and mandrel. said machine comprising a supporting' base having a channel trackway, a movable boring and pipe installing unit having a wheeled carriage freely movable in said trackway. a driving shaft and coupling rotatably mounted on the wheeled carriage, power transmission means supported by the carriage for rotating said shaft and coupling, a boring tool detachably connected with an axial socket in the coupling, said driving coupling having means thereon concentric with the boringtool receiving socket for effecting rotating driving engagement with one end of the helical threaded pipe and mandrel, said power transmission means including a drive chain and a pluralityof pair's of cooperating chain sprockets to provide different gear ratios for the'machine.

10. An earth boring machine of the horizontal type comprising, horizontal aligned frame members each having laterally extending axles on opposite sides thereof, flanged wheels rotatably mounted on the axles of the frame. spaced aligned bearings supported centrally on said frame members, a boring tool driving shaft journaled in said bearings.' a coupling and chuck member on one end of theshaft for detachable connection with said driving shaft and a yboring tool, a pipe supporting and driving element adapted to be driven from said coupling and chuck member, detachable connecting means between said eiement and the coupling and chuck member, upwardly extending support means mounted on said carriage, and means for rotating said shaft and .coupling mounted above the carriage on the supporting means.

11. In combination, a supporting base having two parallel channel members defining with their flanges a channel trackway therebetween, means for adjusting one end of the base for inclination, cross tie bars connecting the lower sides of the channel members, a longitudinally extending bar connecting the tie members and having spaced central apertures longitudinally thereof, an earth boring unit comprising a carriage having flanged wheels adapted to freely roll in s. reciprocating movement in the channel trackway, means mounted on the carriage for driving earth boring tools, said carriage having a thrust bar across its end to cooperate with a lever accommodated in one of the apertures in the longitudinal bar on the base.

12. In combination. a portable horizontal earth boring machine having a wheeled carriage, a base support having a trackway for supporting the wheeled carriage of the machine for' rolling movement longitudinally of the base, said base support including two spaced parallel channel members defining said trackway and an apertured bar longitudinally of the base and between the channel members adapted to provide engagement of a lever between the base and machine carriage.

13. In combination, a portable earth boring machine of the horizontal type having a wheeled carriage, a thrust bar transversely of the carriage, a base support including two spaced parallel track members for supporting the wheeled carriage of the machine for rolling movement longitudinally of the base and an apertured bar longitudinally of the base between saidtrack members and underlying a carriage supported thereby, said apertured bar and thrust bar providing members for cooperating engagement with a lever between the carriage and base for moving the carriage.

14. In combination, a base support including spaced Y parallel channel members defining a trackway, means for adjusting the elevation of the base at one end to obtain desired inclination of the base'with relation to its support, means for locking the base in the position of adjustment, and an earth boring machine of the horizontal type guidlngly supported by the base including a wheeled carriage and earth boring means carried thereby adapted to have rolling engagement in the channel trackway ot the base. said carriage being disposed between said channel members with the center of weight of the carriage and boring means lying substantially below the top of the base support.

15. The method o! installing in the ground thin sheet metal pipes having a longitudinally extending external helical thread which comprises, clearing away the ground in advance of the leading end oi the pipe and removing it rearwardly through the pipe, and rotating the pipe into desired position in the ground by applying a rotative driving force at one end of the pipe by a supporting and driving member insertable within the pipe.

16. In combination with a relatively thin hellcally threaded pipel a machine for rotatively installing said pipe in the ground and for preboring in advance of the leading end of the pipe, a channel trackway, a movable boring and pipe installing unit having a wheeled carriage freely movable in said trackway, a driving shaft and coupling rotativeiy mounted on the wheeled carrlage. power transmission means supported by the carriage for rotating said shaft and coupling, a boring tool detachably connected with an axial socket in the coupling, said driving coupling having means thereon concentric with the boring tool receiving socket and detachably connected with the coupling for eiecting rotating driving w engagement with one end of the helically threaded pipe.

ALAN JAY PARRISH. 

